Automatic cut-out for indicating means.



No. 894,886. PATENTED AUG. 4, 1908. A. B. HERRIGK. AUTOMATIC GUT-OUT FORINDIGATING MEANS.

I 2 SEEBTS-SEEET 1. 4

APPLICATION FILED MAY 21, 1904.

TNESSES PATENTED AUG. 4, 1908.

A. B. HERRIGK. AUTOMATIU GUT OUT FOR INDIGATING M BANS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 21; 1904.

2 SHEETS-$112M 2.

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UNITED srArr-Es PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT Bl HERRIGK, OF RIDGEWOClD, NEW JERSEY.

AUTOMATIC CUT-OUT F OR INDICATING MEANS.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT B. HERRICK, a citizen of the United States,resident of Ridgewood, county of Bergen, and State of New Jersey, haveinvented a new and useful Improvement in Automatic Cut-Outs forIndicating Means, of which the following is a specification, theprinciple of the invention bemg herein explained and the best mode inwhich I have contemplated applying that principle so as to distinguishit from other inventions. 1

My invention relates to means for automat cally disconnecting anelectrical indicatmg instrument and concomitantly effecting theactuation of means for performing a sepa rate function, its object beingto prevent the burning out of the conductors of such instrument and atthe same time locate and determine the media tending to eflect suchburnmg out.

The said invention consists of means hereinafter fully described andparticularlv set forth in the claims. v

The annexed drawings and the following description set forth in detailcertain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed meansconstituting but one of various mechanical forms in which the principleof the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawing, Figure 1 represents a diagrammatic view of anapparatus embodying my said invention as particularly applied to a carfor testing the conductivity of rail bonds or rail-joints. Fig. 2 represents a view similar to that of Fig. 1, showing additional mechanismconnected therewith.

in the particular application of my invention illustrated, the cartruc kis provided with two insulated brushes bearing upon the track andforming the terminals of a shunt through which a portion of the currentalong the rail passes as will be readily understood. This shunt isdivided into two branches as is shown. in circuit in one of these.branches is placed the armature A of a voltmeter, so that any differencein potential between. those parts of the rail in contact with thebrushes respectively will effect the actuation of the indicating pointerof the volt-meter. In circuit in the other of such branches is placedthe armature E of a relay B. The device including armature B is, howeverso arranged that its actu'ation'is not effected by I current having avoltage within the adjusted or full range or capacity of the voltmeter,but

Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed may 21,

Patented Aug. 4, 1908.

1904. Serial No. 209,116.

I is, on the contrary, arrangedso as to be actuated when such capacityof the meter is approximated or exceeded.

only will insure the movement of armature B.

of said armature. Upon one end of this arm and b which normally, thatis, when the voltage of the current is such as will not actuate armatureB, dips *into two mercurycup contacts 0 and 0, these cups being inseries in the voltmeter circuit as shown. It will therefore appear thatthe withdrawal of contact points I) and b fromthe mercury cups willbreak the volt-.meter circuit. The opposite end of said arm is similarlyprovided with two contact points and b which are normally withdrawn fromtwo mercury cups 0 and 0 These two cups are in series in an independentcircuit D which includes a source of current such as a battery (1, andan electroing a separate function such as setting the brakes of thetesting carupon which the apparatus is mounted, or operating a devicefor ejecting white wash upon the rails or rail-bed to indicate the pointin the road-bed where the completion of circuit D took place, as will Itwill, therefore appear that a predetermined voltage Attached to, thearmature B is a metallic arm B which is oscillated by the movement areformed or secured two contact points I) be readily understood. Suchcompletion will, it will be seen, from the above described relation ofthe elements comprising the invention, take place concomitantly with thebreaking of the circuit containing the voltmeter. Assuming now that thecar containing the above described apparatus is moving over the rails,it will be seen that the variation in the conductivity of the rails orcontact with the brushes will be indicated by the volt-meter. So long asthese variations remain within the adjusted-- or -full limitations andthe mechanism for performing the separate function remains inoperative.Assuming now that a very defective rail bond is en countered, the defectbeing such as to efi'ect a difference of potential at the brushes suchas would cause the burning out of the volt-meter armature or beyond theadjusted range of of the volt-meter, the circuit D remains openconnected mechanism car so that the defective the meter, before suchaction can take place, the armature B is operated arid voltmeterarmature A cut out of the circuit. Concomitantl with such action,circuit D is completed: the air valve actuated, and the erated. This mayy brakes to stop the bond may be at .once replaced, or may be caused toeffect a marking of the location of such defective bond, so that thenecessary repairs may be made sube uently.

n the particular application of the .principles of my invention.escribed, a duplicate ap aratus would be supplied for testing the otlibrrail of the track an the bonds connected therewith. I

When the, above described device is used in connection with recordingmechanism such as shown, described and claimed in m application filed Ma21,, 1904, Serial No.

be effected to either app 209,115, I provide a ditional mechanism forture and move the pen laterally.

automatically recording upon the recordsheet the location of suchabove-mentioned varying condition in connection with other records uponsuch sheet. This mechanism includes a pen N mounted upon a suitablysupported retractile holder N arranged to be movable ina plane parallelwith the plane of the'record sheet, and; to cause said pen to rest uponsaid sheet. Said holder as shown consists of an elastic arm the'end ofwhich is rigidly mounted upon a stationary post n, and is henceretractile. Intermediately of its ends. is secured an armature adjacentto which is mounted an electro-magnet] O, which when energized willattract the arma- The magnet .coil is located in a shunt circuit p asshown, which receives its current from the battery (1. To arrange forthe pro er conthe one explained, change nection for the circuit, anadditiona contact point I) on armB and mercury cup c are provided asshown. that if the pen is allowed to normally rest upon the recordsheet, a straight line will. be drawn thereon, but each time the voltagerises as previously described a deviation, as shown, is'efiected in saidline.

Other modes of my invention may e em loyed instead. of

em made as regards the mechanism herein isclosed provided the meansstated by any one 'of the following claims or the equivalent of suchstatedmeans be employe [I therefore particularly point out and distinctlclaim asm'y invent1on:

1. he combination with electrically conmeans for-recording variations inan h circuit, of a normally closed switch in t e -ment actuatingcircuit, means It will therefore be seen applying the principle of' sa1dinstrument circuit.

recording instrument actuating cirv cuit, means for opening said switchwhen a current of predetermined value flows in said instrument circuitand closing a circuit around said instrument, and a separate indicatingdevice adapted to be actuated upon closing of said latter circuit tomake a record thereof. p

2. The combination with electrically controlled means for recordingvariations in an electric circuit, and a record sheet upon which suchvariations are indicated, of a normally closed switch in the recordinginstrufor openin said switch when a current of predetermined Value flowsin said instrument circuit and closing a circuit around said instrument,and a separate indicating device actin upon said record sheet andactuated to ma e an indication thereon upon closing of said lattercircuit.

3. The combination with electrically controlled means for recordinvariations in an electric circuit, of a normal y closed switch in therecording instrument actuating circuit, means for opening said switchwhen a current of predetermined value flows in said instrument circuitand closing a circuit around said instrument, a separate indicatingdevice adapted to be'actuated upon closing of said latter circuit tomake a record thereof, and another circuit also controlled by saidswitch for actuating avalve magnet.

4. .The combination with a movable rec ord surface, of an indicatinginstrument having an indicatin needle se arated from said sheet, acircuit %or said in icating means, a normally closed switch in saidinstrument circuit, and a circuit around said indicating instrument foropening said switch to cut out the instrument and make a-separateindication in the record sheet when a current having a predeterminedvalue flows in said indicating instrument.

5. The combination with a movable record surface, of movable indicatingmeans separated from said surface and including an indicating needle, apair of traveling contac'ts adapted to make connection with a section oftrack or "the like, a shunt circuit between said contacts around saidindicating instrument for controlling a cut-out switch, said cut-outswitch being normally closed to complete said instrument circuit, andmeans in said shunt circuit for openin the instrument circuit andclosing an a arm circuit upon passagev of a predetermined current inSigned by me, this 19th day ALBERT B.

Attested by:

- G. W. SAYWELL,

A. MERKEL.

